8 Night Portugal and Spain

9 Days/ 8 Nights. A magnificent excursion through some of the best towns Spain and Portugal have to offer. Start in Madrid and make your way north through the Spanish countryside stopping in Santiago de Compostela then head south stopping in Porto and ultimately ending your journey in Lisbon. to plan extra activities are more flexible. An exclusive of Portugal.com, you will not find this small group tour at this price level anywhere you look. We hope to see you aboard.

Please note

This is a bi-lingual tour operated by a local Spanish company and therefore has a larger contingent of Spanish speaking passengers. Since it caters to the Hispanic visitor it has a propensity to have groups from Hispanic countries. The tour is narrated in both Spanish and English therefore making it suitable to English speaking visitors. If you mind having to listen to the tour in both Spanish and English this tour may not suite your needs. This tour also leans towards a religious theme due to the visits to Santiago de Compostela and Fatima.

Sample Itenerary

Day 1, Monday: Madrid

Arrival at Madrid airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day is free. We suggest you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe’s most dynamic capital cities. In the early evening, enjoy an “Illuminated Madrid” drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious “tapas”. Premium Package includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Accommodations.

Day 2, Tuesday: Madrid

Buffet breakfast. This morning’s escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid’s most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Time for lunch on your own. Highly recommended this afternoon, is an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco’s masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry. Return to Madrid for accommodations.

Day 3, Wednesday: Madrid – Segovia – Avila – Salamanca

Buffet breakfast. Departure into old Castile and the magnificent medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and impressive Alcazar Castle. Pause in Avila to admire the perfectly preserved 11th century city walls before continuing to the charming old university city of Salamanca. Afternoon city tour. Premium Package includes a typical dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended. Accommodations

Day 4, Thursday: Salamanca – Santiago de Compostela

Buffet Breakfast and departure to the mystical pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Check into your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the old city of Santiago and its beautiful Cathedral on Obradoiro square. Tonight there is an optional dinner at your hotel. Premium Package includes dinner. Accommodations. (Accommodations the nights of May 04 and June 06 will be in Vigo and not in Santiago de Compostela).

Day 5, Friday: Santiago de Compostela – Viana do Castelo – Porto

Buffet breakfast. Depart south along the coastal “Rias Baixas” and continue into northern Portugal. We will visit the town of Viana do Castelo, at the mouth of the Rio Limia with its historic old town and castle. We finalize our journey in the charming city of Porto, famous for its namesake Port wines. Accommodations.

Day 6, Saturday: Porto

Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy a guided tour of this city on the banks of the Douro river including a visit to a local Port winery. Premium Package includes lunch. Afternoon free. Accommodations.

Day 7, Sunday: Porto – Aveiro – Fatima – Lisbon

Buffet breakfast and departure to Aveiro “city of canals”, the Venice of Portugal. Continue to Fatima, one of the pilgrimage centers of Christianity. Free time to visit the basilica and enjoy lunchbefore continuing to Lisbon. Premium Package includes lunch Tonight enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. Premium Package includes Fado show and dinner. Accommodations.

Day 8, Monday: Lisbon

Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon free, with a strong recommendation to visit the graceful hilltop village of Sintra and the vibrant seaside resort town of Cascais this tour included in the Premium Package. Accommodations.

Day 9, Tuesday: Lisbon

Buffet breakfast and transfer at the appropriate time to Lisbon airport.